Label or stamp



M. FoGDE AND LP. souTHwlcK. LABEL 0R STAMP APPLYING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY23. 1919. 1,435,458, Patented Nov. 14, 1922;.

3 SHEETS-SHED M. FOGDE AND L. P. SOUTHWICK. LABEL 0H STAMP APPLYING APPARATUS. APPLlcATloN FILED MAT/23.1919.

1,435,458, Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

n P: NVE TOR ATTORNEYS M. FOGDE AND L. P. SOUTHWICK.

LABEL 0R STAMP APPLYlNli APPARATUS.

APPLICATION' FILED MAY 23. m19- nA .l a 5 mm ULI: -z r @www M m ma wm n amm n 1 n m u www .my Qpm Q www `O E 5W vwvww Q f H M M @K QWN\\ wN F :Ewi mv mw w eww 5 LA@ T@ l, m RF uw l- @w Patented Nom i4, 1922e PATENT nssrenons,

T STGKES dt SEBIITH CIiflPANY, GF l'ff link id, [i CQRPORATIQN 01E? EENNSYLVANA.

LABEL DE S'lli'r? APELYING APPARATUS.

Application filed ID/Iay 23,

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that We, MATHrAs Foeon and Lawnnnon l?. y Sonrnwron, respectively a subject of the Government of Russia and a citizen ot the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and `State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Label or Stamp Ap plying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in label or stamp applying apparatus, pertaining' more particularly to the preparation and conditioning of the stamp or label preparatory to its application to the package to be stamped or labelled.

`While the present invention is adapted for use in various connections, it is more particularly adapted for use in connection With apparatus of the general type disclosed in the patent granted to us Gotober 23, i917, No. 1,244,438, a use in which a plurality or stamps or labels are applied concurrently to a corresponding' number oit packages or con` tainers, the general idea in this respect beine; to produce the effect ot a gang operation on a. plurality of containers.

Where apparatus of this type used lor the stamping of containers of tobacco prod nots-as for instance boxes of cigarettes the stamps are of the usual revenue type, supplied in the form of sheets formed of rows extending' longitudinally and transversely oft the sheet. Since the operation is designed as a gang operation, the general apparatus based on the use of one oi'y the rows ot the sheet for each operation of the apparatus, and in the 'particular embodiment shown the stamps of the transverse rouare utilized.v thus bringing the direction et length of the stai/np corresponding to the front to rear direction of the stamp feed op-4 eration, Since the stamps are connected together side by side in the sheet form, and each stamp has a Width less than the Width ofi the container, it becomes necessary not only to separate the row of stamps into its individual stamp formation, but, in addition, to advance the stamps in such manner that when in the applying position each stamp Will be properly positioned With respect to 1919. serial No. 299,234.

the container to which it is to be applied An apparatus for producing this effect is disclosed in the prior patent referred to, the means employed being in the form of a stamp transporting means made up of a proper number of individual stamp carriers, the carriers being arranged to piclr up the stamps in their normal relation to each other in the roW supplied, the loaded carriers then advancing to the applying position with the apparatus so arranged as to cause the riers to spread apart during their advancing movements, the apparatus being so designed as to provide independent paths of movement of the carriers to bring about this result. When the stamps have'been advanced into applying position, the carriers are lowered into contact and portions of each stamp applied, after Which the remaining portions oit the stamp are applied in suitable manner and then the entire roW of containers-Which may be considered as a charge-is removed from the apparatus concurrently.

The rows of stamps'are prepared or con` ditioned during the advancing travel oi the carriers, and it is to this general portion ot the apparatusL cycle that the present invesA tion more particularly relates, the particular preparation and conditioning consisting in subjecting` the ronT oit stamps, which has been picked up by the carriers, to a slitting action and then applying adhesive to the exposed face of each stamp, this preferably taking place in advance of the carrier separating action, so that the stamps are advancing in parallel lines during this preparing opera the purpose olf a pr* erogftl operation, the .are arranged to have their advancing movements in a sinele horizontal plane, the carriers boing shifted 'from this plane at the opposite en tremes of movement of the carrier, the shifting movements being downward `from such plane in order to pick up a roiv of stamps at one end of the transporting movement and to apply the conditioned stamps at the op posite end of the movement. And it is preferred that pneumatic means be employed for the purpose of retaining a stamp in position on its carrier, the apparatus being ar ele-ment 2O adapted to travel in one of the guide slots 13"'. Head 'l/ll is normally held in its upward position. hy means ot a spring ll-d located between clement il() and a collar lil carried by the member lab.

The transportii'ig element is in the term oil" a iframe 2l havingportions extending' into guides l2 and which carries stai'idards for supportingsuction members 'i6 and guides 19 which may be formed integral with the frame, guide la having depending stems on which head les may be reciprocated. As

shown in Figure Q., the transporting meansA also carries a control element presently referred to.

luring the advancing' and retreating movements et the transporting means, the carrier travels with its head in the upward position. However7 the apparatus has means designed to shift the position et the heads when the carriers are at the extremes or" their transporting movements.V This .means is shown as in the form of a pair of elements 22 and 23, loc-ated respectively at the front and rear ot the apparatus, each element being` mounted to reciprocate vertically in sui.t able manner as by the use ot' cams, each element being individually controlled by its cam. As shown, each element is provided with a plurality of slots opening` toward the direction of approach et the carriers, each recess being' adapted to receive the collar lll@ ot' a carrier. Since the spacing ot the collars relative to each other varies at the front and rear of the apparatus, it will. be understood that these recesses will be suitably spaced accordingly. Elements and 23 are normally in their upper position which places the recesses in alignment with collar 1411", which latter is provided with. an annular groove within which the walls oli the recesses may enter, the .latter thus tending` to `form lingers which enter the groove. A tter the carriers have reached this position, element 22 or 23, as the case may be, is shifted downwardly, thns moving member leb downward against the' tension of spring 14d-as shown. for instance at the right of Figure 1- thus shiftinghead le dowmvarch the head then being returned to normal position by the return travel. of the element 2Q or which is in operation at the time to automatically retain a s snip or el in the ap proximate plane oli tli e heads lll ".vhen the l er are s. ifted ilownwardly by cle ment any suitable mechanisn'i n' employed tor this tuirpose7 as tor in,` ance, by the use ot a vertically movable table Jl within 'the stamps are located. in gael: formation, the table being;l connected up in suitable nnanner with s. Y\\ei;-; ;ht which tends to raise the table. @ur prier patent above identiied indicates a structure el: this lr' 4oeiiu provided for limitingthe upward movement ot the pack; the table is ieldable in the presence of downward movement of heads lila, thus providing` a compensatin tructure and at the same time assuring` 'tha the heads are in contact with 'the row et stainpsmun severed from each other at this ti1ne-an.d will permit olli proper location on the heads through the application oi" suction action.

The control. et suction activitv the heads lfla is by the use ot a suitable control. mechanism 18 which is in the term ot a valvey shown as oli the tuTuning-plug` type7 the stem of which carries a pinion ldfadapted to engage a leve' lll which i a tooth segment i8" engaging s said lever having` a pair et lz 'yecting membe's .i3d and i8@ as respectively 'to 'fi .member 22a cari." d by elei .similar member 23 carried the arrangement bein@ such that whe ber i8 is in its rear positiom the flo\ movement ot element 2 Q2 to engage such l` roch the lever a c" ance suliicicnt :izo rotate the turning; plug` olI the valve and open the latter to the suction. line, thus ap'ilvinf snc-- tion. to the suction heads when la" er are in Contact with the upljicrn'ios... man@ of. the stamp receptacle.

rlhe suction remains acl' Je until the lever is rocked. in the reverse directioo7 and this takes place when member l@ passes to e position where the other' projection 19W of the lever is located beneath member Pf; downward meren'. nt ot elcn ins; to roch the lever and shift the va closed posi. on. this comition then niiaintained until the valve if.; by the operation et member 23;

This arrairefeinent thus i nl ers the suction active during the advancii Q; nieve nit r the tians'lm'iiun` mechanism and inactive during; the retreating( movement oi" tl latter.y the oiienine' or closingY ot the .f'alve taking; place when the heads are in their lower positionsB The transieri-inn1 device is reciprocated in any suitable mannen as by the of a pitman 25 connected up to a suitable operating mechanism adapted to move the pitman in hein in opened receptacle and on which the' Cil - plied.

directions to advance and f n mechantl n.

fhe slamp or laliel preparing mechanism is lecated between the l@ and the path o'l travel ot the ti. ns'ljerrinpj mechanism and between the positionlfs of the stamp receptacle and the point Where the stamp is ap This preparing; mechanism substantially embodies two banisms, ene et v'which is adapted to slit the row et stan Y into its individual stamp units Without disturbinn; the position et the stamps en the heads itl-*1' the other mechanism is an adhesive appl ing' mech anism *which .is adapted to provide a coat of adhesive' onto the exposed `leef-e et the individual stanv'is While the carriers ELT@ advancing' toward the tont et the apparatus.

rlhe sl/,ine' mechanism embodies a retatable shaff F26 on which mounted a plurality of dis is 27 having a lnile er sav! edges, these extending; into the plane et the path et travel of the stamp rovv es the latter is advanced, the arrangement being such that as the carriers adiy the stamp strip er row carried past these disks, the latter be* inn; adapted to sever one r, from the other, it beingunderstood, that the disks Will be positioned to have their cutti/inor sa ving edges operative at the proper points in the length et the stamp strips.

Shaft 2b may be rotated in any suitable manner, a preferred arranger-fientm however, being` shown in Figure 3 in vbifli 2l? i licates a suitable power source shown as in the lorm eta' sprocket which is o," eratively connected Ito the main drive shaft el the epparatus, said sprocket being; mounted en a sha'tt carrying a bevelled peur Q9 mesh with a bevelled 30 operatively conf nected with a gaat 30 loosely mounted on a stud 3l; obviously stud 3l may be in the 'tori/n el a shaft, in which cese ldear Il() would be secured thereon. @ear 30 is a -1ited to drive a pinion carried on a stub shal't which also carries a ngear 33, the latter in turn. being in mesh with a pinion 341 mounted on shaft 26, the result being" that shalt 26 is rotated at a comparativelv high speed and thus insure proper severi ien on the ed fincinn stamp Strip.

rlhe carriers 124- are provide ,f1 su'tiieient i between them in the rear positions el the tran 'u' mechanism as to permit the slittiun` (lisis to properly operate Within the intermediate spaces.

rihe adhesive applying; mechanism is locatee in advance et the slitters just den scribed, and this adhesive inecninism is also operative on the advancing; ips prior to the time the carriers begin the spreading niovement. rlhis adhesive applying; mechanism includes a supply receptacle 35, a supply roller mounted in bearings on the receptacle and being adapted to entend into the receptacle contents, the receptacle also carrying a suitable scraper 36m' ttor removing- .surplus adhesive from the iliaee et roller llhe adhesive is applied to the stamps by means oit a rotatable element which includes a segment 3T carried by the element shaft 38, the tace oit segment 37 being;` so positioned to have a path olt movement which causes the segment tace te pass into contact with the coated 'face et roller 36 and also inte contact with the passing stamps mounted en. the carrier heads, the segment receivingv its supply et adhesive from roller 36 end in turn applying' it onto the exposed faces et the advancing stamps.

@hatt 38 is driven in suitable manner, lligure 3 showing the drive as `irom gear 30, but, to: purposes presently pointed out, the connection includes a coupling structure presently described which permits the rotative movement olf the shaft to be prevented Without aflecting,` the operation of the transter mechanism, this cessation ot rotation be ing` permitted under certain conditions; roller B6 is preferably driven 'from shaft 38.

rlhe particular form of drive connections ttor shaft 38 shevvn in the drawings is designed to meet certain conditions; the particular embodiment which may be employed may be varied 'trom that disclosed, it being prenterii'ed, however, that the mechanism which may be employed Will produce a general operation such as will meet the conditions new to be described,

ils will be understood, the length of an individual stamp is relatively short as compared with the length ot travel of the transmechanism in completing one cycle, the time required ttor the cycle being increased dy reason et the dwell in the move nient et the transilirringr mechanism which taires place at the ends et the advance and. retreat movements and during which the carrier heads are given their vertical n1ovements. l-lence it will be understood that the particular length ot time required for active Contact et the face oit segment 37 with the stamp is but a small portion of the time required to complete this cycle, the length of such cli/'cle beinLIM increased by reason ol the `tact that provision must be made tor the seperratineA et the carriers in order to pren duce the proper lpositlening` et the stamps on the ceiitainers. And While this length ol? time et contact is small, it `will be understood that it is essential that the angular speed et travel oli tbe segment be made substantially equal to the advancing speed ot travel et the carriers at this time in order that the possibility et" d'sturbing` the position et the stamp on the carryingr head be reduced to a minimum.

To meet this particular condition, We arthe drive mechanism for shaft 38 in such manner that the segment Will normally rotate more than once during each cycle of the transferring mechanism, the arranga ment, in actual laractice, providing for a plurality of such revolutions of shaft 38 during this period. This arrangement permits of retaining the proper angular length of the segment and at the same time retain the size of the parts con'iparatively small and hence permit of the use of a general compact structure. As will be understood, no portion of this applying structure, with the exception of the applying face of the segment, passes into the path of movement of the carrying head faces, so that it is only when such face of the segment is in its upper position that possibility of contact with the head faces is had, and this possibility is limited only to times when the head faces and the segment face are in the proper posisitions. Consequently the position of the mechanism can be readily arranged as to insure that during the period of advance of the stamps on the heads 14n, the segment face will be brought into activity to produce a proper application of adhesive to the advancing stamps, while during the return movement of the carriers, the position of the segment will be such as to be out of the paths of movement of the head faces during the period when the carriers are passing the zone of activity of the segment, thus providing against applying a coat of adhesive onto the head faces or portions of the face.

This result can be vobtained by a proper timing of the connections between gear 30 and shaft 3S and at the same time provide for the travel at substantially equal speeds of the segment face and the carrier head faces.

.lioweveig there is the possibility of an occasional ditiiculty in the operation of the apparatus, a difiiculty which maybe brought about by the failure of proper location of a stamp or a row of stamps on the carrier heads, it being understood, of course, that the apliaratus is operating under suction conditions and that improper positioningv of a stamp sheet in the stamp receptacle or various imperfections may bring about a condition where failure is had to proigserly position all of the stamps on the respective heads as the carriers are being advanced. Under such conditions it is possible .l .it one or more of the carrier faces would remain exposed and therefore in position to receive adhesive from the segment as the latter is brought into activity in the normal cycle. of operation of the apparatus.

By providing a plurality of rotatable movements to the segment during the single cycle of the transferring mechanism, we are able to meet this possible condition as a part of the general drive connections of shaft 38,perini lting the segment to have its usual cycle in the absence of any abnormal conditions and yet temporarily disturb this cycle in the presence of such abnormal conditions, providing this result automatically through the use of a suitable detecting mechanism of simple form. This change in the cycle of the segment is produced by eliminating one of the rotations of the segment when such abnormal conditions are present, the segment thus remaining stationary during the time when the carriers are traversing the Zone of avtivity of the segment in the advancing direction of the carriers.

A simple form of mechanism for producing these results is shown in the draw ings, but it will be understood that the type disclosed is more or less illustrative and may be varied as may be found necessary. The mechanism shown will now be described.

39 indicates a gear wheel loosely mounted on a shaft 40, gear 39 meshing with gear 30 heretofore described. Gear 39 is provided with a hub carrying` a notch or recess 39fL which is adapted to receive the tooth of a pawl l-l pivotally supported by an arm l2 mounted on and rotatable with shaft a0, the pawl being spring actuated with the spring operative to normally retain the tooth of the pawl in engagement with the recess 39a. Since gear 39 is constantly rotated, it will be understood that as long as pawl ell engages notch 39, shaft t0 will be constantly rotated, and if shaft l0 be positively connected to shaft 38the two shafts may, if desired, be a single shaft --a direct and constant drive will be had from gear 3() to shaft 3S. ln the drawings, shafts l() and 38 are shown as separate and connected by a suitable coupling 43.

ils will be understood, however, if pawl il is rocked on its pivot so as to disengage its tooth from notch 39, the drive engagement between gear 39 and shaft 40 will be broken and the shaft will remain stationary until this engagement of pawl and notch is again provided. This engagement of pawl and notch is not disturbed excepting .in the presence of such abnormal conditions, and the disengagen'ient which takes place at such time is maintained only during one revolution of gear 39, pawl Lil being held out of the path travel of the notch for a period sufficient to insure that, when released, it will contact withr the face of the hub and ride thereoii--remaining stationary with shaft l0-until the succeeding arrival of the notch places it in position where the pawl spring becomes effective to cause the tooth to reenter the notch, whereupon 'the normal drive connect-ion is resumed.

The control. of such disengagement more ments is placed on a control mechanisn'i carried by and mov: ble with the transferring mechanism,` being of such form and position that disengagement, when brought about, is had when the segment is out of its Zone of activity, thus retaining it out o such zone until gear 39 has made its single revolution, a sullicient period to permit the transfer mechanism to advance out of the Zone ot activity of the segment, the reengagement ot" pawl and notch restoring the normal operating conditions.

rlhis control mechanism is in the iiorm ont a lever 44 pivotally supported on the transferring mechanism frame, said lever having an arm 44u projecting in the direction of 'travel ot said mechanism, lever 44 having its axis extending in the same direction and thus substantially parallel with the direction of length of this arm. The opposite end ot said lever carries an arm 44b connected to a flexible diaphragm 45 which forms one wall of a cavity 46 formed in said trame and which is in open communication with member 1.6, thus placing this cavity as a part ont the suction line. .Le-ver 44 is of the spring actuated type, spring 47 being adapted to normally hold the lever in such position that the diaphragm is in an outward position, this particular position of the parts being indicated in 'lull lines in Fig. 6 which also shows in dotted lines the inactive position of arm 44m` When the chamber 46 is connected to the suction source, lever will be held out of the path ot pawl 4l, consequently the connection between the driving mechanism and segment 37 will not be broken while the suction source is actively connected to chamber 46, a condition which exists during the ii'orward movement ot the picker, only -when all the stamps are properly registered thereon. lli, however, a stamp be displaced or missing, the suction will be released into the picker and arm 44"L and be rocked by spring action into the path. of pawl 4l thereby releasing the connection between the driving means and the segment and rendering the latter inactive during the passage of the pickers thereover.

lf desired, valve 18 may be so constructed that when it is turned to cut oli` suction connection to the pickers the vent through the valve casing to the outer air is connected to header 16 so as to release the residual suction in the header and piclrers and etl'ectuab ly release the stamps carried by the pickers.

Since shaft 4G has its movements in svnchronism with those ot shai't 38, it will be understood that the same factor of tim.- ing to prevent conjunction of pawl 4l and arm 44AIL may be provided in the manner referred to in connection with the segment so far as the return portion of the cycle is concerned.

However, during the advancing movement of the transferring mechanism, these two elements are brought into a relation which will permit the disconnecting action 44 is rocked so that arm 44n4 provided arm 44a remains in the same vertical plane as the path of travel ol the pawl. Under these conditions, arm 44;L advancing in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4 and the pawl arm travelling counter-clockwise in the same ligure, it will be seen that the tail of the pawl passes into contact with the arm 44a as arm 42 rotates, and as said latter arm continues its rotation, the relative positions ot arm 44 and pawl cause the pawl to be rocked on its pivot until its tooth disengages trom the notch, whereupon gear 59 continues its rotation without ell'ect on the pawl, shafts 38 and 40 remaining stationary and arm 44d continuing its advance until it passes out oli' contact with the tail of the pawl whereupon the latter is rocked in a return direction and brings its tooth into contact with the tace ot the hub of gear 59 on which it rides until the hub rotation brings notch 39 opposite the tooth ot the pawl when reengagement is had.

As will be understood, should lever 44 be rocked on its pivot so as to carry arm 44?L laterally out or the vertical plane of the pawl travelling` path, arm 441L and the pawl will not be brought into conjunction aln though each olf these parts have their usual advancing movements, the result being that the pawl will not be disengaged at this point and shaft 40 will be continuously rotated.

The position of lever 44 at this time is controlled by conditions in the carrier head. Should each of the heads have its ports to the suction line properly closed by a stamp no air will enter into the suction line and reed the latter through these ports, and the stamps will be held to the races oiE the heads; in such case, however, cavity 46--also open to the suction line-provides limited supply of air, the withdrawal ot' which under the action of suction affects the position oitl diaphragm 45 and tends to draw the latter inward to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, the re sult being that lever 44 is rocked pivotallyl and moves arm 44ZL out of the path ol: travel oit' pawl 4l, the engagement of the pawl tooth and its' notch remaining undisturbed and the normal. operation ot the rotating segment carrier being continuous. lVheu the applying station is reached and the suc tion line is broken by the closingl ci? the valve, the release of the stamps lrom the heads opens up the head ports to the entrance of air, thus feeding air to the entire line beyond valve 18 rendering spring 47 active to return lever 44- to its normal position.

Should, however, head ports be open through abnormal conditions of a stamp or stamps, it will be readilj7 understood that such ports will provide an air supply to the suetioii line and thus i'e Fit; Y 'roten the etziiiip.

tfiiiios is iis el fidiiiil s ii iiiith ziim l: iie oi' the hout oder the su eli nel positie ir he li of travel oi the p otioii on (liiaphizi level tl iii its iio 5 @la extending iii t tion i renting e' inging pet i direction the (lire stiiiiiii.

IlO

:ii'iii oi owl tooth tiijiui omplete i'evolutioii when eiis i'estoiel mid the Doi'ts ooiitiiiue d, tiiei'e Aieifit 'ioiA e y relation.

ooiij iinetioii aging the i gagemeiit con Cliiizii It will he uiioerstoo ieitieulai' emhocli the cliseiig this (lise le has made gageiii'eiit iii @heir oi' the i5 :rangement povides 4" pawl -cl- 'J5 {reiiieiit se of a farce, mtl iii p 1toiii the ii othe otiife Y p is tselli, spese tied by cleieitelfyY the Zoiiiil ooitioii of the eellj/ eo'iie efeieiice het-Ween vl e o lov lly tie

eiit ed, i hg' iioi'inel efl iii these iiiieist s pio- Aiieiit to hoi Y the C y position :ippaitus om its wl as tli e le on. thu

o .nal

control iiieii sue ol ooeizitoii.

the

ilu

out: the pos the eoiiiiiieelf L)ogeizieiit o el this iioiiiiel Coris iiio'vell fi" e olf iiioife his nor hein if otiiio the not els properl eizeei h si in ab oriiiiiig i l y 't This movement o inet i fil LLillie s i` lll pass e5 and Will remain dei all eoiiclitioiis vided foi' the desii'e i'e poi e out Wh s inl if the normal operati Ys liei'etof b flhesive oofiiii is being applied t 110 T l Y -ii which cli and iiotoli is inheieiit, miA

disturbed only Whe .iclei normal conditions o that thev level is i .alliesive applicatie bl "i iviii peits Clit-,ion i i' iii its desired operative condition ra'fitli 2o the stamps oil l the latter th which levei position to advances. its pivot is vicliiig a regular eyel level ui of' 'the apparatus itse opeizitioii of the levei itself, prevent head i pi'olilei'ie e his piro the ziiiioii'fit o [lo i i h ece of the spieecl tliii tioii, Wheoliei the l:

oi' other ee uiiflerstooch the this desired eteiieil t upoii the .Il iV ifi al C le e vi

hesive Y ilioii clhesini stamp api nielieaieieti.

iity to pi'o ioii is moie oi less dependen eeglfii'ieiit h will iieiit 37 coilt .iiieil dp :i iguietioii iis eoiii emotion loeoli 1, 'to 'the iii t, tl

esive i st dition impe i iii o tli e ith imite bl sceiitizi ve t this iicll 60 the segfiiieii't is tiene lo i' s W tziiii l he@` .f foi-iii Home when passes iiito ooii be :It :sul zulliesi 'the tUeiiei'zil ed out Staino vided b iiip oli by the 65 ieee of t l Without d curate r the through t' e and the prcfision oi the plural revolution operation on the segment heretofore pointed out, the latter making possible the necessary accurate tining relation between the travel oit the scfment and oit the stamp transfer mechanism so as to insure that the stamp carrying' heads and the segment faces Will come into conjunctive relation at the substantially exact periods desired, Without, honf'ever, melting impossible the use of a safetyY device which will prevent the application ot adhesive to an unc-cated carrier head, This Will be clear from the fact that While., under such abnormal conditions, the segment is temporz-iril)7 maintained out olf the applying Zone, this action .is permitted turbing the normal timed relation betivcen the parts, the timing relation the stamps, and this is had general timing relation oi parts remauiing,` constant under all conditions, the

operation simplyY making one revolution of he drive mechan1sin-the timing,l control extending` to the drive connections o the segment rather than to the segment itself- `""hout a Corresponding` revolution of the nent, so that When this revolution is completed the connection between the segmont and its drive is resumed.

From the above it will he readilvunden ood that not only is the preparation of the nip provided during); contimieus advancinnf movement of the stamps or labels, but

n addition this action is l ad by the use ot mee :sins 1n which the stamps advancing in the direction or their planeswin a horimnital plane corresponding` to the plane oit the direction ot length et thstamp on vthe carrier head-eind with the adhesive applying; mechanism operative in a lined path ot' travel, lily advancino' the stamps in directions corresponding to their planes, no lialfrility is had oi dislodggment though the ce? are ad vanci ng at considerable speed; and nice the ai i ot rotation oi' the segment is lined so that tne segment movement is in a circular path, assurance is had that 'the active face et the segment will be in proper position. tor adhesive application Whenever the control mechanism permits the carrier heads und active faces to be brought into coni ctive relation.

heretofore pointed out, 'the carrier may he provided with tivo spaced portions havgiei'iine's connected with the suction line, thus isc ini; the points relic/re suction is made attive upon the stamp. This `would prm an interni i te space within which the st: p would not be supported during' the adhesive application, l id to meet this conditionwaiul at 'the same time take care of conditions at the aoplving station-we loivithin this space supplemental. meinber 142g yieldably mounted.Il this member providinpv the support Yfor the intermediate portion oit' the stamp at this time. No detailed description ot' the head in this respect is made herein the saine is more particularlj,T reterred to in connection with a companion application wherein. the carriers are more specifically claimed.

ln order that unequal distribl'ltion ot adhesive on the stamn or label may be prevented through the possibility of collection ot adhesive in the several grooves 37a and 3T", We pieter to employ a scrap-erelement 31' having; an active 'face complemental to the tace ott a section taken longitudinall57 through thev segment, said element being in the form ot a plate located at a point where its active tace will (fo-operate with the seg;- mcnt in the travel of the latter from its position of contact With roller 36 andthe point Where the. segment begins its registration With'the advancing carriers. The active tace of the element is so formed as to remove surplus adhesive that might enter into grooves 37a and 37b so that as comes into its reoistration position, the grooves will be substantially tree from adhesive and therefore practically incapable oitr delivering' adhesive onto the positioned stamp or lahel, thus insuringtha-t the'proper stencilled effect Will be provided on the nuived hy the clement ivi-ll be returned 'to this reservoir.

lhe gumming device may also be provirlefgl with f, stripping` lingers 37d, the ends ci 'which ride in the notches ot the segnient, the upper taces of the lingers being located in the plane of travel ot the lovver taces ot the stamps, so that when the stamps are carried across the 'face of the segment the lingers will operate to strip the ips therefrom and prevent their being' carrier down out ot contact with the suction pichers. These lingers arepreterablv connected to a lined bar 37 mounted transversely on the supply receptacle 35.

The terms stamp and label in the specication and claims are not intended to be restrictive to special forms ot attached sheets, it being obvious that the device is applicable to the attachment broadlyv oit sheetmaterial to articles. i

As will he understood, the disclosure presented herein While preferred and espe ciallv applicable for the purpose indicated, f

plane7 adhesive-applying means operativek onthe labell or stamp during the travel ot the carrier in such plane, said means including a segment mounted to rotate in a circular path and havingv a portion ot such path. of movement located relative to the carrier path ot travel to produce a zone ot' activity ot the segment in 'such travel path, and means tor imparting more ythan a single movement et said segment 'through such none location during single cycle ot carrier movement.

2. An apparatus `for preparing labels or stamps tor application yto commodity containers7 label or stamp transiter mechanism movable between a labelor stamp supply station and an applying station, said mechanism including; a carrier operative to support thelabel or stamp by a pneumatic act1on,said carrier havingY its mornementsl between said stations in adsubstantially single )lane `ail-liesive-a sul inev means o jerative on Y a l. .n A

the label er stamp during; the travel of the carrier in such plane, said means includinn; a segment mounted. to rotate in a cir cular path and having' a portion et such path oit movement located relative to the carrier path of travel to produce a rone of activity of the segment in such travel patln and means for imparting more than a single movement ot said segment through such zone location during a single cycle of carrier movement with the movements of the segment and carrier relatively timed to produce but a single concurrent location of both elements in zone during` the carrier cycle.

3. An apparatus tor preparing` .labels or stamps tor application to commodity containers, label or stamp transiter mechanism movable between a label or stamp supply station and any applyingstation? said mechanisin including; a lcarrier operative to support the label or stamp by apneumatic ac tion, said carrier having its movements be tween said stations in a substantially single plane, adhesiveapplying means operative on the label or stamp during the travel of the carrier in such plane, said means includ-I ing a segment mounted to rotate in a circu-` lar path and having a portion of such path ymovement With the movements of the ment and carrier relatively timed to produce concurrent location ot bot-h elements in said zone solelv during` the travel oit the carrier in its advancing'direction,

t. An apparatus for preparing labels or stamps for application to commodity containers, label or stamp transter mechanism movable between a label or stamp supply station and an applying station, said mechanism including a carrier operative to support the label or stamp by apneumatic action7 said carrier having; its movements loe-- tween said stations in a substantially single plane, adhesive-applying' means operative on the label or stamp during the travel ot the carrier` in such plane, said means includ-- ing a segment mounted to rotate in a cire cular path and Vhaving a portion ot such path of. movement located relative to the carrier path of travel to produce a zone ot' activity of the segment in such travel path, and means for imparting more than a single movement of said segment through such zone location during a single cycle ot carrier movement With the movements ot the segment and carrier relatively timed to produce concurrent location of both elements in said zone solely during the travel of the carrier in its advancing;v direction and in the presence of a label or stamp on the carrier.

5. An apparatus' tor preparing` labels or i oath of movement located relative to the carrier path of travel to produce a zone of activity of the segment in such travel path, and means tor imparting more thanta single movement of said segment through such Zonelocation during a single cycle of carrier movement with the movements oit the segrment and carrier relatively timed to produce but a single'concurrent location ot both elements in said zone duringthe carrier cycle.

said segment havingv its movements timed in synchronous speed to the speed ol travel of the carrier.

6. An apparatus for preparing labels or on 'the label or stamp duri' stan'xps tor application to commodity containers, label or stamp transfer meclianism movableV between a label or stamp supply station and an applying station, said mechanism including` a carrier operative to support the label or stamp by a pneumatic acs tion, said carrier having' its movements between said stations in a substantially single plane, adhesive-applying means operative `on the label or stamp during the travel ol the carrier in such plane, said means including a segment mounted to rotate in a circular path and havinga portion otsuch" path oli movement located. relative to the carrier path et travel to producej a Zone ol activity` oi thesegmentinsuch travel path, vand means for imparting more than a single movement ot said segmentA through such zone location duringa single cycle ot" carrier 'movement with the movements oli 'the segmentand carrier relatively timed to produce-but a single concurrent location oit both elements in said zone during the carrier cycle, said applying mechanism' also includ-l ingA an adhesivesnpply roller operatively connected to the segment to move concurrently therewith.

7. An apparatus for preparing labels `or stamps -l'o'r application to commodity containers, label or stamp transfer mechanism movable between a label or stamp supply station and an applying station, said mechal nism including a carrier o}j)erative to supu port the label or stamp by a pneumatic actien, said carrier having its movements be tween said stations in al substantially single plane, adhesiveapplyingl means operative the travel o't id the carrier inr such plane,

circular path and having; a port/imi oil such path el movement located relative to the carrier 'path el travel to prmilncc a :zone of activity oil the segment in such t path.l and means :tor impartingl more than a e movement ci said segment through such zone. location during a single cycle et can rier nmvement with 'the moveannts ol` the seg'siment and carrier relatively .ed to pro duce but a single conclusioni; location ol;

both elements in said zone dui nef the cari'ier ycie, and control mechanism vf'liereby 1s or stamp means inf cludimil a segment .mounted lo rotate in a rs, label or stamp transfer mechanism "i ,eea/iss the label or stamp during the travel. ot the carrier in such plane, said means including,"` a segment mounted to rotate 1n a circular` path and having.)r a portion ot such path of4 movement located relative to the carrier path oit travel to produce a yzone of `activity ol' the segment in such travelpath, and means i for imparting more than a single movement' 'oit said 4segment through such lzone location during a single cycle of carrier movement with the movements ol the segment and carrier relatively timed to produce but a single concurrent location of both elements in said Zone during` the carrier cycle, and

control mechanism whereby said'concurrent location oit the elements is prevented in the absence of a label or stamp on the carrier, said control mechanism including a7 shiftable element movable withthe carrier and adapted to control. the segment movements,-

the shifting movements ot" said elements `being between/active and`inactive positions, the selection vof position being `determined by the pneumatic conditions in said carrier.

9. in apparatus for preparing labels or stamps for application to commodity containers, and wherein a plurality ol' labels or stamps are concurrently rendered active,` a:

stamp or label supply station ywherein a plu;

rality ot labels or stamps are delivered `con-- currently, stamn or label transfer mechanism movable between the labelforstamp supply station and an applying station, said mechanism includinga-plurality of stamp or label carriersv correspondingl in nnmrberto the numberot concurrently delivered stamps or vlabels with the carriers" relatively lpositioned t0 locate the stamps orlabels i ar pla ne common to the several labels or stamps and to provide travel thereof from one station to the other in substantially such plane,

means t'or applying adhesive to the several oued labels or stamps concurrent .y

ol the carriers to produce Aa' Zone of activity et the lace in such travel path, and

means lor imparting rotating` movements to the tace support to cause sait. tace to pass tlm fh auch rione location more than a .ements n l0. An apparatus for preparing labels or stamps for application to commodity 'containers, and wherein a plurality of labels or stznnps arey concurrentlyrenderedactivm a stamp `or label supply station; "wherein a plurality of labels or stamps are delivered concurrently, stamp or label transfer'mechanism movable between the label or stamp supply station and an applying sta-tion, said mechasA nism including a plurality ofv stamp for `label carriers'r corresponding in number to .the

Y travel oit the carriermsaid means in# cludinn' a segmental "tace mountedto .rotatev in. a lined path and having aY portion of` such path located relative to thetravelr pathl e time during a single cycle `et carrier number of concurrently,delivered stamps or labels with the carriers relatively positioned to locate the stamps or labels in a plane common to the several labels or stamps and to provide travel thereof from one station tothe other in substantially such plane, means for applying adhesive to the several positioned labels or stamps concurrently during travel of the carriers, said means including a segmental face lmounted to rotate in a fixed path and hai/"ing a portion of such path located relative tothe travel path of the carriers to produce a zone of activity of theface in such travel path,`and means for imparting rotating movements to the face support to cause said face to register with thecarriers in said zone solely during the advancing movement of the'carriers .in

the presence 0f labels or stamps on the carriers. i d l 11. An apparatus for preparing labels or stamps for application to commodity containers, and wherein a plurality of labels or stamps are concurrently yrendered active, a

stamp or label supply station wherein a plurality of labels or stamps are ydelivered concurrently with the fstampsor labels connected together in strip form, stamp or label transfer mechanism movable between the label or stamp supply station and an applying` station and operative to receive stamps in strip form and deliver them in separated form, a plurality of stamp or label carriers corresponding to the number of stamps or labels forming` the strip, and with the carriers relatively .positioned to` advance the stamps or labels from the supply station to the applying station in a single plane corresponding to the plane of the strip,

y means for cutting'the strip into its individ ual stamp formation during travel of the carriers, adhesive applyingr means adapted to apply adhesive to the separated stamps or labels as the advancing movement of the latter continues, such yapplying means including a rotating segment having individual faces active on' the individual stamps, said segmentrhaving its movements timed to provide registration'ofits facesand the carriers solely in the` presence of the labels or stamps on the carrier.

An apparatus for preparing labels or stamps for application to commodity containers, and wherein the labelor'stamp is advanced from a. supply station to an ap-y plying station and prepared during travel to the latter station, a carrier movable between said stations and adapted to advance the ylabel or stamp into applying position, and means for applying an adhesive surface to the label or stamp while supported on the carrier and during carrier travel, said means including a movable segment,

said mechanism including` route, and wherein the stamne face ofiless peripheral extent and area than the similar extent and area of the st rrp or label, and means for operating said carrier and segment in such timed relation and in such paths as to maintain the periphery of the active portion of the` vsegment face spaced from the periphery of the advanc ing stamp or label throughout the period of registration and contact to produce an uncoated marginal portion throughout the peripheryfof the stamp or label. y

13. An apparatus for preparing labels or stamps, and wherein a plurality of labels or stamps are advanced from a supply station to an applyingstation and prepared en route, and wherein the stamps or labels are supported by a transfer mechanismv travel.- ing between said stations adapted to ad vance the stamps or labels during travel in one direction, means for `concurrently applying an adhesive surface to the several stamps being advanced, said means including a segment movable to advance with the passing stamps and havingV a length to cooperate with each ofthe stamps carried, said segment-having ay facial configuration to produce a: plurality of activey applying zones corresponding to the number of stamps being transferred, with the Zone boundary arranged to prevent adhesive application at the opposite side margins of the advancing stamps ror labels.

14. An apparatus for prepari ug labels or stamps, and wherein a plurality of labels or stamps are advanced from a supply station to an applying stationk and prepared en la., or labels are supported. by a transfer mechanism travel ing between said stations adapted to advance the stamps or labels during travel in one direction, means yfor concurrently ap plying an adhesive surface to the several stamps being advancedn said means includ ing a segment movable `to with the passing stamps and having a lenV to cooperate with each of the y temps carried. said segment having ,facial `confifrura'tion to produce a plurality of gve applying zones corresponding to the number of stamps being transferred, with the sione boundary arranged to prevent' adhesive ap plication at vthe opposite side margins of' the advancing stamps or labels, :h Zone having a length in a different discusion less than that of thestamp in the same dimension, and means forsynchronizing the movements of segment and transfer mechanism to produce registration contact of the advance portion ol the yAoiiesand vthe several stamps or label at a point spaced from the advance edge ot' the labels.

15. An apparatus tor preparing labels or stamps, and lwherein a plurality oi' labels or stampsare advanced tronic/.supply station to an applying station and prepared en route, and wherein the stamps or labels vare supported. by a transfer mechanism iti-aveling between said stations adapted to advance the.. stamps or labels d'uriiigti'avel in one direction, means `lfor concurrently applying an adhesivesuiitace tothe several stamps the stamp in the same dimension, and means for synchronizing the movements ot segment and transfer mechanism to produce registration Contact oit 'the advance portion of the Zones and the several stamps or labels y at a point spaced :tromthe advance edge oit `the labels and with the rear edge ot. the

zone spaced from the corresponding edge of the stamp or label, whereby each stamp will have its marginal hesive coat-ing. f

16. Anapparatus for preparing labels or stamps, and wherein a plurality ot labels or stamps are advanced :li'oin supply station 'to an applying station and prepared en route, and wherein the Astamps or labels are supported. by a transfer mechanism traveling between said sLations adapted to advance vthestamps or labels during travel in one direction, means :tor concurrently applying .an adhesive surface to the several stamps being advanced, said means including a segment movable to advance with the passing stamps and having a length to cooperate with each ot the stamps carrier said segment having parallel grooves eX- tending transverse to the direction of length of the segment to produce a plurality of applying zoneslot deiinte width in such segnient length, said grooves being spaced a distance such as to render a `zone ot less width than the width or the slamp or label with which it cooperates. l'. An apparatus 'for preparing labels or stamps, and wherein a plurality ot labels or' stamps are advancedfiirom `a supply station to an applying station and prepared enroute, and wherein the stamps or labels are supportedv by a.` transfer mechanism width or the deiining grooves of'its portions free from adv`v traveling between. said stations adapted to advance 'the .stampsV or labels during travel in one direction, means tor concurrently applying an adhesive surface tothe several said segment havingparallel grooves eX- i tending transv- Tse to the direction oli' length oli the segment to produce a plurality ot `applying zones of definite Width in such seg- 5 ment length, said grooves being spaced a.

distance suchV as to render a zone olless iviiltli than the width ot the' stamp or label.

1ith which it cooperates, the travel paths of stamp or label andv Zone being" relatively ar- Y ranged as lto locate tlieopposite side edges ot a stamp at intermediate points in the whereby marginal side edges of the stamp willreniain unc'oated.

lulvleans for adliesively preparing' a stamp or label .tor application during travel of the label or stamp en route to the point of application, a stamp or label transter mech a5' iiism having means for supporting the stamp or label by .pneumatic action, al rotatableelelmont carrying the adhesive applying vace and having a path oi' movement to bring said tace into registration. withl the ti'avel" ling stamp or label, andmeans for 'controlling the rotation of said element, saidmeaiis including a. constantly` rotating-drive cle'- inent, a shaft for rotating the element, and

connections between said drive jelementand the shaft to normally providev shaftinovements in unison with the drive element and movable to temporarilybreak the drive connection therebetween, and means controlled.

by the presence or absence 'of a stamp foilabel on the advancing transiter mechanism -and operative in the presence oi. the piieu' matic action. tor selectively determining the position el said connections.

i9. Means for adliesively preparing a" stamp or label for application during travel ot the label or stamp yen route to the point ol? application, stamp or label transfer mechanism having means `for supporting the` stamp orlabel by pneumatic action, a rotatable element carrying the adhesive applying -iace and having apath oi inoveinentV to bring. said face into registration with the travellingstamp or label, and means for controlling the rotationof said element, saidl zone,

llO

ineans including a constantly rotatingdrive f element, a shaft for rotating thel element,

said shaft carrying a pawl adapted toen gage the recess of the. drive element to ori'n. a drive connection between the drive element and the shaft, said pawl being normally in engagement with the recess and movable iii a path concentric With the'drive axis,`and` means carried by the transfer mechanism and adapted to cooperate with the pan/l to release the latter from its recess, said latter means being normally in position to break such connection and shiftable from such po,- sition in the presence of a stamp or label properly positioned in the transfer mechan nisin. Y

20. Means for adlnlsivelyk preparing a stamp or label for application during travel of the label or stamp en route to the point of application, a stamp or label transfer mechanism having` means for supportingl the stamp or label by pneumatic action, rotatable element carrying the adhesive ap plying face and having a path of movement to bring said face intoregistration with the travelling stamp or label, and means for controlling the rotation of said element, said means including av constantly rotating drive element, a shaft for rotating the element, said shaft carrying a pavvl adapted to en gage the recess of the drive element to form a drive connection between the drive element and the shaft, said paivl being noii'mally in engagement with the recess and movable in a path concentric With the drive and means carried by the transfer mechanism and adapted to cooperate with the pawl to release the latter from its recess, said latter means being normally in position to break such connection and shiftable from such `position in the presence of a stamp or label properly positioned in the transfer mechanism, and means operatively connected to the pneumatic system for mntrolling the shifting action.

QLMeans for adhesively preoaring a .stamp or label for application chirurg travel of the lal' el or stamp en .route to the point of application, a stamp or label transfer mechanism having means for supporting the stamp or label by pneumatic action, a rotatable element carrying the adhesive applying face and having a pathv of movement to bring said face into registration with the travelling` stamp or label, and means for controlling the rotation of said element, said means including` a constantly rotating drive element, a shaft for rotating the element, said shaft carrying a pavvl adapted to en gage the recess of the drive element to form a drive connection between the drive element and the shaft, said paivl being normally in engagement with the recess and movable in path concentric with the drive axis, and means carried. by the transfer mechanism and adapted to cooperate With the pai/vl to release the latter from its recess, said latter means being normally in position to break such connection and shiftabie from such position in the 1aresence of a stamp `or label properly positioned in the transfer mechanisrn, said latter means including a pivoted lever having an arm adapted to travel through 'the path of travel of said pavlq said lever having a normal position to carry said arm into .r id path of travel, said latter means being a operatively connected 'to the pneumatic s ein to cause lever movements to carry said arm out of such path of travel in the presence of the properlyr positioned stamp or label.

22. lfn a stamp applying machine, means for holding stamp and adhesive applying device having an adhesive carrying surface of less area than the surface of the stamp, means for furnishing adhesive to the surface of the applying device, nieans'for bringing said surface in contact with the stamp and means for removing surplus adhesive from the edges of the surface before contact with the stamp.

ln a stamp applying machine, a trav cling stamp carrier, means for holding a stamp on the carrier, means for applying adhesive to the stamp normally maintained in operative position during the active travel of the carrier and means for automatically rendering the adhesive applying device in- 'the absence of a stamp on the able by 'the holding' device.

stamp applying machine, a trav- 2a. ln cling sti p carrier, suction means for holding a stamp on the carrier, means for applying adhesive to the stamp normally maintained in operati-;fe position during the active travel of the carrier and means operable through the snction means for rendering the adhesive applying device inoperative in the absence of a stamp on the carrier.

ln testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands.

MifiTl-HAS FOGDE. LAWRlillilCE l?. SOUTHVVICK. 

